My 2013 Makeup Favourites

Saturday, 4 January 2014

My Bloglovin news feed is full of '2013 favourites' posts at the moment so it was only right I got involved myself - I hope you don't mind adding another one of these posts to your reading list. Favourites posts are one of my 'favourite' (no pun intended) to read as I love seeing which products have caught peoples attention and it also gives me ideas for things I'd like to pop onto my wish list. With this being said, you can imagine how much I'm loving all of the 2013 favourites posts - a big summary of everyones favourite products of the year, not just that month. I'm pretty sure if a product is featured in a yearly favourites post, it has to be up there with 'holy grail' status.

I've decided to split my yearly favourites into a few different categories as there's no way all of the products I've loved in 2013 could be squeezed into one post - unless you want to be sat here reading it until 2015 of course? No, I didn't think so. First up is my makeup favourites and this one was definitely the hardest to put together. There's so many products I've been loving for the past year but I wanted to be really selective and only choose one thing from each category so one foundation, one concealer, one powder and so on. Otherwise, I'd just be here all day reeling off lists of products that have impressed me. With this being said, you can be rest assured that all of the products featured in this post have been products that have really impressed me and that I've been loving over 2013. So without further ado, here they are ...

I never thought I'd find a foundation that ticks so many boxes but NARS Sheer Glow has done it. With a great colour range (I'm Fiji for reference), medium to full coverage, a radiant finish (not glowy as the name states but not matte either) and long lasting, what more could I ask for? Well, if I had to me picky, I'd like it to be cheaper than its £30+ price tag but hey, you get what you pay for I guess! I've absolutely loved wearing this foundation in 2013 and I can't see myself jumping ship to anything else anytime soon. Read my full review here.

A more recent discovery for me but as I've used it none-stop since purchasing it a few months ago, I thought it deserved its place in my 2013 favourites anyway. This concealer works wonders on my dark circles - its full-duty without being cakey and as I purchased the lightest shade available, it really helps to brighten up my whole under eye area. I haven't done a full review of this yet but its been on my 'to-do' list for quite some time so keep your eyes peeled for that.

When I first got this product, I didn't really get it. Yes I liked it for its brightening and illuminating properties but I didn't see what was so amazing about it or why it receives such praise in the beauty industry. However, since then I've used it almost every single day and on the days I haven't used it, I've noticed a big difference. This bad boy completely brightens up my whole face and I love how multi-purpose it is too. I've been using this under my eyes to brighten dark circles and on areas of my face where I want to add extra light such as my cheekbones, brow bones and down the centre of my nose. Its a pricey product but a great one for adding that finishing touch to my makeup. The only thing I would say is that L'oreal do a great dupe of this with their Lumi Magique highlighting pen so I'd recommend giving that one a try first before splurging on YSL. Read my full review here.

Since discovering Rimmel Stay Matte powder in 2013, I haven't looked back. Considering this costs less than £5, its taken over from the likes of MAC mineralize skinfinish natural in my makeup collection. The translucent powder is fab for popping on over my foundation to set my makeup and keep shine at bay. Read my full review here.

Oh, no surprises here then. I've raved about this product so much on my blog that I really don't think I need to say much as you've probably heard it all before. Seriously though, this bronzer is perfect for me and my skin tone and I don't think anything will ever come close to it, let alone beat it as my favourite bronzer. Its the perfect shade for my pale skin as it adds a warm glow to my complexion without making it look muddy or orange - its very natural. Its also great to use as a contour as it doesn't contain any shimmer. It isn't completely matte though so it doesn't look flat on the rest of my face - it has a slight gold sheen that makes my skin look glowing and healthy. Can you tell its love? Read my full review here.

Considering I only got this in November as part of my Latest in Beauty Glamour box, its already topped my list as favourite brow product of 2013. Before using this I was using Benefit Brow Zings and although I still like it, the HD Brow palette in the shade 'Foxy' has blown it out of the water. The powders are so pigmented and the Ash shade in the palette (bottom right) which I've been using every day is the perfect match for my brows. Its very natural looking and has no orange or red tones which is why I love it so much. Read my full review here.

As much as I love my Urban Decay NAKED palette and MAC palette, my most used eyeshadows in 2013 would definitely be these beauties from the Stila in the Light palette. These shadows are absolutely beautiful - very creamy, pigmented and long lasting. All of the shades are right up my street too and there isn't one colour I don't use - well, apart from the dark metallic grey. I also love that there's a mix of metallic, matte and glittery shades so I can create a good range of looks with it. I find myself reaching for this during the day and using the matte shades but also for a night out where I'll add a couple of the metallic shades to the mix. I also adore using the champagne shade in the inner corners of my eye and on my brow bone. Its just a great versatile palette and great for travelling with as the packaging is so lightweight. It was my palette of choice for both of my holidays in the Summer! Love, love, love, love, love it! Read my full review here.

If you want a pencil liner that's creamy and blacker than black, look no further than MAC Smolder. Its been my favourite eyeliner to use on my waterline for years and I wear it every time I do my makeup. I know some people don't get along with it as they find it smudges but I don't seem to have that problem - I love it and its definitely a holy grail item that I'll continue to repurchase.

I don't wear liquid liner on a day to day basis as I find it can make me look a bit too overdone but for a night out, its a must have. The super slim liner has been my favourite of 2013 as its really black, has great pigmentation and is so easy to use. The fine 'nib' (if that's what its even called) is great for detailed application and the felt tip style applicator makes it so easy to use. Its really is foolproof! Its really long lasting too which is another bonus!

I don't typically liked mascaras with plastic wands but this one from Sleek has really impressed me. It curls and thickens my lashes without being clumpy or flaky and its really black too. I also like the way the wand has lots of small bristles as I can really get into the corner of my lashes with it.

Okay so this was a tough choice for me as I'm sure you're all aware that I'm a total lipstick junkie. I dread to think how many I have but lets just say its ridiculous and picking one was very tough indeed. However, I eventually settled on a lipstick I've worn a lot in 2013 and one that I've loved wearing in both Summer and Winter - YSL 'Le Orange' from their Rouge Pur Couture range. Everything about this lipstick is stunning. From the gold packaging to the vibrant orange/red shade and the highly pigmented and glossy finish and I can't get enough of it. As soon as I put it on it brightens up my whole face and I find the colour very versatile for all year round. It was one of my most worn lipsticks on my holidays in the Summer (it looks great with a tan) and its been my lipstick of choice over the Christmas period. Although its an expensive lipstick, I won't think twice about repurchasing it. Read my full review here.

I've really got into lip balm over the past twelve months and I've built up quite the collection of them. I love popping a lip balm on before bed as the final step in my skincare routine and I also love keeping them in my handbag so I can slick one on and keep my lips hydrated throughout the day. My favourite lip balm that I use all the time has got to be my Balmi. The cute domed shape makes it perfect for quickly popping on when I'm on the go and the Raspberry flavour also smells and tastes delicious. I definitely need to add a few more of these to my collection.

I love the Clarins lip perfectors as they're lovely worn alone on a day to day basis or on top of my favourite lipsticks as they have a lovely none-sticky texture. They have a gel like consistency which feels very creamy, smooth and moisturising on the lips. Lovely!

So there we have it, my favourite makeup products of 2013! As I said - there's so many more I could have included but I didn't want this post to be any longer than it already is and I'm sure you can flick back through my monthly favourites posts if you want to know about the other products that have impressed me. I'd also like to point out that my favourite highlighter of 2013 would be Topshop Crescent Moon but I didn't have it will me to photograph. Its the one I used most last year but if I had to pick my ultimate favourite, which I recently got for Christmas, it would be MAC Soft & Gentle without a doubt!

What were your favourite products to use last year? Leave your links below if you've done one of these posts as I'd love to read them!

65 comments

Great favourites! I discovered Nars Sheer Glow in 2013 and it's definitely one of my favourite products too. I used to love the HD Brows palette but have since preferred the Sleek brow palette instead, but there's no denying it's a great one. Looking forward to seeing more from your blog in 2014, no doubt it's going to be a big year for you :-).

Love your favourites! I also love the YSL Touche Éclat, it really is amazing and gives your make-up that little bit extra. I have been wanting to get the Nars Sheer Glow foundation and Laguna bronzer for months and months but have been trying to save money instead of spending - however I think I might just get them sometime very soon! Becki x

Such a great post! I either have these products and love them (Rimmel stay matte, L'oreal lquid liner) or they are on my "want" list (NARS sheer glow, NARS laguna). It's a shame I'm so poor after Christmas haha ! Love your blog, and am looking forward to more of your posts :)

I have never tried Touche Eclat but heard such rave reviews but have always used Mac's Prep & Prime. That YSL lipstick is gorgeousss maybe next time I'm at YSL picking up my foundation i'll pick both of these up haha. That concealer sounds great - Seventeen are really pumping out some great products recently xx

I really want to try the seventeen concealer, heard some great stuff! I was a HUGE rimmel stay matte fan, but recently got the soap and glory one heck of a blot and that is amazing. It's much finer and deffo worth a look at :D

I really like reading people's favourites as I get to discover new things too! I've spotted a few I'd like to try for myself, and I definitely agree that the In The Light palette is a thing of beauty. In terms of eyeliner, I love Maybelline's Master Precise, the tip is really precise, which always helps when applying eyeliner!

Lovely favourites, I'd love to try most of them! Nars Sheer Glow and the 17 concealer went straight on my wishlist :)I've done two favourites posts so far, makeup and lip products, if you fancy a peek: ohsnapbabes.blogspot.co.uk xx

I also loved my Stila in the Light palette! This year I skipped a yearly favorites post because I only started blogging in May and that's when I really focused on beauty products. However I've really enjoyed reading these posts! My wish list has slowly gone out of control haha. AmberLovely Notions

These posts are really useful, especially if you are going to part with a lot of money- there is never a guarantee that the product will actually work! I too have fair skin so will be trying out that NARS bronzer!

Great picks, the Nars sheer glow seems to have cropped up in lots of different favourites posts wish there was a counter in my city :( have no idea what shade I'd be. I also love the YSL touché éclat I've tried so many dupes last year I finally tried the original and it's love brightens up your face so much! X

I really want to try out a YSL lipstick but don't know if it works well. I have heard so much out the Nars sheer glow and the laguna bronzer, really want to try them out! And the Rimmel stay matte powder is definitely a holy grail for me and it is such a bargain!!xx

I’d really like to see you on my blog, let me know if you ever visit!:)Teeniolect

Definitely going to try out Nars sheer glow foundation, heard so many good reviews! and i love the hd brows palette too i got the latest in beauty glamour box after you recommended it and have not been disappointed Zoe xhttp://makingitup705.blogspot.co.uk/

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